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Admissions Guidance
How to apply (for students in Year 6)
Essex County Council co-ordinates admissions to St Helena School for those children moving from primary Year 6 to Year 7 in a secondary school.
Parents must apply for a secondary school place in this instance by completing the Essex Common Application Form. This can either be completed online or you can use the printed form available from primary schools in September. For full details of dates, procedures and the online application process please visit www.essex.gov.uk/admissions
Parents can express preferences for up to six schools, both in and out of Essex, in the order in which they would like them considered. Parents will be sent, by Essex County Council, one offer of a place at the highest preference school that can be met.
How to apply (for students currently at secondary school age and in Years 7 – 11)
Parents and Carers should complete our online Mid-Year Application Form. Within the form, you will find links to the Guidance Notes and our Privacy Notice.
Frequently Asked Questions at the start of Year 7
Please report all absences by email to attendance@sth.school
Information required:
Child's full name
Form group
Reason for absence or late
During the summer before new students start, you will receive an email containing the name and contact details of your child’s form tutor. Email is the best way to reach tutors or teachers, as they are often unable to take calls during the school day.
There is a section in your booklet that outlines the general expectations for homework at St Helena School.
English, Maths, and Science will set homework weekly.
These will usually be based on SPARX Maths, SPARX Reader, and SPARX Science.
Other departments will set reward-based homework, which are enrichment projects.
Yes - but you will need to have conversations with them about how they are to be used in line with the policies of the school. Our genuine advice is that they do not bring their phone to school unless it is vital for their safety walking home. Students using phones inappropriately and in the wrong place are likely to have them confiscated and students videoing or posting to social media are likely to find themselves suspended.
Yes, but if they are not in lessons, they are not learning. Please talk to your children about learning to use the toilets at break and lunch. These are 20 minutes and 40 minutes respectively so there is a lot of time to use the facilities. Teachers are asked to record all trips to the toilet during lesson time so that we can communicate frequency with home - we find this useful to spot issues and medical needs.
A paper copy will be shared with them on the first day. You will also be able to view it later in the Arbor app.
Term starts on Tuesday, 2nd September 2026
Year 7 students need to be in school by 8:35am - the school gates close at 8:35am.
We operate a biometric cashless system for our school catering service.
The Parent Pay webiste is used to buy food in the canteen and also to pay for trips, visits and other expenses too.
Your child's account can be topped up on the Parent Pay website.
They will have their fingerprint registered on their first day, which allows them to access the Parent Pay account to purchase food and drink from the school canteen.
We kindly ask parents to register their child for after-school clubs via the Arbor App.
Parents’ Evenings:
These work in the same way as at primary school, but you will meet a variety of subject teachers. An online booking system is used, and you will receive instructions on how to use it before your first parents’ evening.
Termly Reports:
You will receive reports each term detailing your child’s working levels and attitude to learning grades.
Phone Calls:
Heads of Year, Teachers, or Form Tutors may also contact you by phone to discuss your child’s progress.
Please contact the front office and they will help you.
Please, please, please label everything!
The aim is for all students to attend school at least 95% of the time, which equates to approximately 180 out of 190 school days each year. If your child is unable to reach this figure due to serious illness, accidents, or circumstances beyond your control, this is understood. However, you and your child should make every effort to ensure they attend school whenever possible. Thank you for your continued support and efforts in helping your child attend regularly.